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Gender Studies Notes

Women's studies emerged in the early 1980s as academic courses focusing on women's roles, experiences, and achievements. It has its roots in second-wave feminism and originated to challenge male-defined knowledge. By the late 20th century, women's studies programs existed at over 500 universities in the U.S. and globally, examining topics through lenses like gender, feminist, and sexuality studies. Women's studies aims to empower women and girls while combating issues like stereotypes, oppression, and gender-based violence.

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95 views2 pages

Gender Studies Notes

Women's studies emerged in the early 1980s as academic courses focusing on women's roles, experiences, and achievements. It has its roots in second-wave feminism and originated to challenge male-defined knowledge. By the late 20th century, women's studies programs existed at over 500 universities in the U.S. and globally, examining topics through lenses like gender, feminist, and sexuality studies. Women's studies aims to empower women and girls while combating issues like stereotypes, oppression, and gender-based violence.

Uploaded by

Usman Zafar
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Women Studies

Academic courses in sociology, history, literature, and psychology which focus on the roles,
experiences, and achievements of women in society. The first women’s studies courses, at
postgraduate level were set up in the early 1980s, initially at Kent and Bradford, then York,
followed by many others. Throughout the 1980s both undergraduate and postgraduate
women’s studies programs sprang up in universities and polytechnics across the UK and by the
end of the decade we had our own professional association, initially called the Women’s Studies
Network (later to be renamed the Feminist and Women’s Studies Association).

Evolution of Women Studies

The history of women literature tales back to 15 th century, when many philosopher highlighted
the role of women in society through poems e.g. The Tale of Joan of Arc by Christine de Pizan a
French poet. Moreover, in the 16 th and 17th centuries many philosopher, poet, and journalist
have highlighted the role of women in society i.e. Thomas Elyot, Margaret Fell, Rachel Speght
etc. Proper writings on women rights began in the late 18 th century i.e. Some Reflections Upon
Marriage (Mary Astell, 1700), The Education of Women (Daniel Defoe, 1719), Letters on
Women's Rights (Abigail and John Adams, 1776), Petition of Women of the Third Estate to the
King (1789), "On the Equality of the Sexes" (Judith Sargent Murray, The Massachusetts
Magazine, 1790), Women's Petition to the [French] National Assembly (1789) etc. A Vindication
of the Rights of Woman (Mary Wollstonecraft, 1791) Women’s studies as an academic enterprise
had its roots in second wave feminism and originated as a challenge to male-defined and male-
centered knowledge. During the first of feminism many magazine and newspapers started
writing about women rights. Those news articles and coverage in magazine became the source
of women studies as at that time there was no other proper materials available on women
studies. In 1791 Mary Wollstonecraft, who was women right activist and philosopher, wrote a
book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman which published in 1792. Then comes 19 th century
which includes the work of famous Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. In 20 th
century in 1980 it became part of educational curriculum.

1900-1999

761 – Books, magazine and other type of literature.

Scope of Women Studies

Women's studies is related to the fields of gender studies, feminist studies, and sexuality
studies, and more broadly related to the fields of cultural studies, ethnic studies, and African-
American studies. In 1977, there were 276 women's studies programs nationwide [clarification
needed]. The number of programs increased in the following decade, growing up to 530
programs in 1989. Women's studies courses are now offered in over seven hundred institutions
in the United States, and globally in more than forty countries.

Importance of Women Studies


Women’s studies courses can empower girls, decrease teen pregnancy and bullying, combat
gender stereotypes, end rape culture and can open the door to the understanding of
intersectionality, privilege, and oppression.

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